Licensing

Any form of reproduction of the contents or parts of this manual is allowed only with the express written permission from SEP AG. When compiling and designing user documentation SEP AG uses great diligence and attempts to deliver accurate and correct information. However, SEP AG cannot issue a guarantee for the contents of this manual.

SEP provides a flexible approach to the licensing of hybrid SEP sesam backup solutions that simplifies procurement and meets the specific needs of various organisations.

SEP sesam licenses fall into one of the following broad categories:

Component-based licensing

SEP's component-based licensing model begins with the main Backup Server (SEP sesam Server), Remote Device Servers (media agents), clients and databases or groupware agents. Expansion modules are customised to suit the existing environment and the license can be adjusted when extensions are added or the data protection environment is restructured.

In complex environments (data zones) where the average amount of backup data per client is greater than 250 GB, the classic component-based licensing model will likely be the more economical solution.

The concept behind this model is to license only what the customer actually uses.

SEP sesam's volume licensing model is primarily aimed at large and dynamic security environments in which numerous different database or groupware applications are used. Rental licenses are based on volume and provide maximum flexibility with minimal management effort at no additional cost. This license is ideal for large installations, without depreciation expense.

This model gives customers access to most features and functionality and the only relevant factor is the amount of data backed up. Customers are therefore able to customise their backup solutions to suit their specific financial blueprint and infrastructure.

SEP licensing models

SEP volume perpetual licensing

The SEP volume licensing model is based on front side data volume size. In addition, a further delineation is set depending on the types and sophistication of databases in use (Level 2 and/or Level 3). The licenses are perpetual and maintenance is included within the first 12 months. After the subscription period, SEP sesam save sets can be further used for restores, however, backing up data is no longer possible.

Calculating front-side capacity

All SEP sesam capacity-based licenses are calculated by how much original, source-side data is protected (front-side TB). This equates roughly to the sum of all files, databases and hypervisor snapshots of the clients to be backed up. In practice, this means that the maximum volume of all backup jobs (normally the biggest FULL) is calculated, provided that it is stored on any SEP sesam media (retention policy). The original data is cumulated before deduplication or compression.

SEP subscription licensing

SEP sesam subscriptions are purchased per year, based on data volume per front-side terabyte and depend on the utilisation of SEP database agents. Maintenance is included in any subscription time frame. Subscriptions are licensed for a period of 12 months and include full maintenance.

After the subscription period, SEP sesam save sets can be further used for restores, however, backing up data is no longer possible.

SEP classic perpetual licensing

The SEP sesam classic model provides item-based, perpetual licenses that are individually tailored to a customer's needs. Licensing is modular and scalable, expansions of any license components such as database and groupware agents can be carried out at any time. Maintenance is included within the first 12 months.

SAP Business One Edition

SEP sesam SAP Hana Business One Edition is licensed per number of SAP Business One users. SAP Business One Edition basic license covers the backup of up to 10 SAP Hana Business One users.
SAP Hana Business One Edition is recommended for companies with up to 25 SAP users. SEP classic licenses can be added at any time. The complete SAP portfolio can be licensed with a SEP sesam volume or classic license.

SEP maintenance

All SEP sesam Backup Server licenses for volume models, classic models and SAP Business One Edition include a maintenance of 12 months. SEP maintenance consists of software updates (incl. the latest features, patches and bugfixes) or renewal services and technical support. Extensions (at first purchase or later) are always adopted to the runtime of an existing SEP sesam Backup Server environment and include a maximum maintenance validity of 12 months. Excluded are consulting services, such as analysis of the data to be backed up, infrastructure analysis, determination of the target state, creation of a solution concept, and installation service.

VM Essential Edition

The SEP sesam VM Essential Edition is licensed according to the installed sockets. A maximum of 6 sockets can be used in one license environment. VM Essential (Plus) Edition VMware and Essential (Plus) Edition Hyper-V can be mixed. Note that it is not possible to combine VM Essential and VM Essential Plus Editions.

It is also not possible to extend the functionality, however, a conversion into the volume license model is possible.

Managed Service Provider

The SEP MSP license model is suitable for managed service providers and data center operators who use SEP sesam for offering their customers Backup as a Service (BaaS). On the basis of long-term contracts with various service levels, you get a complete full-service package.

Licensing is based on TB data volume (front-side capacity), which is divided into service classes for database usage (level 2 and level 3).

Offers, order confirmations and invoices are made on a monthly basis.

The SEP sesam MSP maintenance consists of the software upgrade, update service and the SEP sesam 2nd and 3rd level support. Excluded are consulting services, such as analysis of the data to be backed up, analysis of the infrastructure, determination of the target state, creation of a solution concept, and the installation service. During the maintenance period, customers can download patches and bug fixes as well as the latest SEP sesam versions.

After the first qualified error analysis, the SEP is available to the MSP for 2nd and 3rd level support via the SEP hotline (+49 (0) 700 737 787 767 8) from Monday to Sunday (0 a. m. - midnight). For details on current support information, see SEP support.

License administration

Requirements

To create an application-specific license, you will need the following information about the SEP sesam backup server:

Hostname

IP address

Delivery note number

Hardware platform (i386, x86, PPC, ia64, ...)

The SEP sesam Server name and IP address can be found in the SEP sesam GUI menu: Help -> Licence info or by using the keyboard shortcut ALT + L.

Information about the delivery note number and the hardware platform can be accessed on the Linux console with the command:

uname -i

or the Windows command line with the command:

set

and on Windows 2003 also with

systeminfo

Send this information to sales@sep.de. If you have any questions during the 30 day installation support, please refer to support@sep.de.

Note

After installing SEP sesam, all functions are available without limitation for 30 days. Seven days before the end of the temporary license, you will be reminded of the upcoming license renewal. After the 30-day time limit has passed, the software’s backup functions are blocked. However, restores up to that point are still possible.

Entering a license

Licenses are usually sent as attachments by email. The attachment contains the license file, which you must enter into the SEP sesam Server.

extract the file sm_lic.zip on the target machine

copy the file sm_lic.ini to <SESAM_ROOT>/var/ini

To determine the correct host name and IP address for your SEP sesam license, follow these simple instructions:

In the SEP sesam GUI, select Help -> Licence info.

UNIX command line:

#> source <SESAM_ROOT>/var/ini/sesam2000.profile
#> sm_info c

Windows command line:

> <SESAM_ROOT>\var\ini\sm_prof

> sm_info c

Note

Before entering a new license, make a backup copy of your existing license. If there are any problems with the new license, you can restore your working state with the original license at any time.

Changing an existing license

If the IP address or the server name of the backup server is changed, you have to transfer a SEP sesam Server license. This includes adjusting the existing server license to match the changed server name and/or new IP address.

Send the old and new license information to SEP AG (by email to sales@sep.de) to ensure that there were no errors during the transfer and to notify the contact person.

The transferred license is sent by email within the warranty's response time. New versions of the existing license and service documentation are created and the customer centre is updated.

The license transfer is free of charge for customers with an existing SEP upgrade contract.

License and service documentation

In addition to the license file, which is sent digitally (usually by email), the customer also receives license certificates for the purchased modules and an upgrade/support card (if they opted for an upgrade or support contract).

The documentation contains a summary of all relevant information (IP address, server name, license details, run time and reaction times) and is sent by regular mail or as a PDF document by email.

Licensing FAQs

How do I order a new licence?

To obtain a licence, contact SEP sesam sales at Contact or sales@sep.de and provide the following information:

Hostname of the SEP sesam Server

IP Address of the SEP sesam Server

To determine which specific names are used by SEP sesam (for example, if more than one network card is installed on the server), go to Help -> Licence info in the SEP sesam menu bar and check the information. Licenses are made available immediately your purchase or renewal is completed and will be sent to you by e-mail.

Licence info also tells you the number of clients and modules needed by your configuration if your SEP sesam Server is currently running in trial mode.

Note:

Some features require a special licence, for example, SEP sesam Exchange Recovery Pro and SEP sesam SharePoint Recovery Pro. SEP sesam licences are issued on the basis of the size and requirements of your environment, so make sure that you are aware of feature/application specific licensing. For details on newly introduced licenses, see SEP sesam Exchange Recovery Pro license and SEP sesam SharePoint Recovery Pro license.

How do I activate a license?

The procedure for activating a license is version specific. From SEP sesam v. 4.4.2 onwards, licenses are imported using the GUI. For versions lower than 4.4.2, the server license is copied into a directory as described below.

SEP sesam v. 4.4.2 and higher

Your license will be sent to you by e-mail. After receiving your license, proceed as follows:

Open SEP sesam and select Help from the menu bar.

Click License info, then click Import new license. A new window opens prompting you to paste a valid license file.

Copy sm_lic.ini and paste it from the clipboard or use the file manager to browse and select the required license as a .ini or .zip file.

Click Apply to enable the license.

Tip: License info also allows you to check the expiration date and to upgrade your license. All licensed components currently in use are displayed.

If the program displays any errors (for instance, in the hostname or IP address), email the SEP sesam License info to sales@sep.de by clicking the Send as mail button. Clicking Send as mail opens an email with the license information loaded. Address the message to sales@sep.de and send it.

SEP sesam versions lower than 4.4.2

Your license will be sent to you by e-mail. After receiving your license, proceed as follows:

Unzip the license file.

Copy it to the directory: <SESAM_ROOT>/var/ini.

To apply the new license file, open the SEP sesam GUI and from the menu bar select Help -> License info, then restart the GUI. Alternatively, you can set the SEP sesam profile as described in What happens when I set a profile? and issue the following command:sm_info c

If the program displays any errors (for instance, in the hostname or IP address), email the SEP sesam License info to sales@sep.de.

From the SEP sesam version 4.0, you can send the license information directly from the SEP sesam GUI.

How do I obtain the community version?

The SEP sesam community version is available to the general public for private use on Microsoft Windows and Linux. Please note that the software, manuals, licensing and terms from SEP AG and SEP Software Inc remain unchanged.

During the installation of a SEP sesam demo version (available at the SEP's download page), a community license file is created automatically. This file must be copied to the license file location after the 30-day trial period is over.

The file sm_lic.ini.com can be found at <SESAM_ROOT>/skel. Copy the file to <SESAM_ROOT>/var/ini
and rename it to sm_lic.ini.

If you want to check the license status, go to Help -> License Info.

Technical support is not provided for the SEP sesam community version and it cannot be upgraded. Visit the SEP Forum or search SEP Wiki for help.

Why does the W008-License TCPIP address not match the local address 127.0.0.2?

This problem usually occurs on SLES-based Linux systems. Check the file /etc/hosts and change the relevant entry for the loopback address "127.0.0.2" or remove it from the /etc/hosts file entirely.